Bridge weight for metal wood golf club

ABSTRACT

A metallic golf club head includes a body and impact face defining a cavity therein, and a hosel for attachment to a shaft. The body includes a sole portion having a pair of insert members, preferably in the shape of triangular wedges, which protrude through into the cavity. The sole portion includes a hexahedron shaped bridge weight spanning across and connecting the members and creating an underpass therein. The bridge weight of a size and height for altering the weight distribution and therefore the center of gravity of the club head without impeding the acoustical properties of the club head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a metallic hollow golf club head. Specifically, to the placement of a bridge weight on the inside of the sole plate, and more specifically to the addition of the weight to alter the center of gravity location and create balanced inertial properties without significantly dampening the acoustics of the club head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Golf club “metal woods”, were originally manufactured primarily by casting of durable metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, beryllium copper, etc. into a unitary structure comprising a metal body, face and hosel. As technology progressed it became more desirable to strengthen the face of the club, and usually this was achieved by using a titanium material.

[0003] With a high percentage of golfers constantly searching for more distance on their drives, the golf industry has responded by providing golf clubs specifically designed with distance in mind. The head sizes have increased which allows for the club to possess a higher moment of inertia, which translates to a greater ability to resist twisting on off-center hits. As a wood head becomes larger, its center of gravity will be moved back away from the face resulting in hits flying higher than expected. Reducing the lofts of the larger head clubs can compensate for this. Also the larger heads, because the center of gravity is moved further away from hosel axis, can cause these clubs to remain open on contact, thereby inducing a “slice” effect (in the case of a right-handed golfer the ball deviates to the right). Offsetting the head and incorporating a hook face angle can help compensate for this by “squaring” the face at impact.

[0004] The prior art teaches methods to enhance the weight distribution of metal woods to help reduce the club from being open on contact with the ball. Usually, this is accomplished by the addition of weights to the body casting or strategically adding a weight element at some other point in the club. Many efforts have been made to incorporate weight elements into the metal wood head. They are usually placed at specific locations that will have a positive influence on the flight of the ball and which also will counter effect center of gravity and inertia problems. Adding weight pads to the club head body is a well known means for increasing resistance to rotation or twisting upon impact with golf ball at off center points on the face of the club.

[0005] One significant problem of adding weight pads and weight chambers to the club head is that, due to the weight mass involved, it has been difficult to achieve a moderately elevated center of gravity in relation to the sole surface. Also, when a neutral weight position was achieved to some degree through the use of a weight chamber, acoustical problems arose.

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a means for shifting and elevating the center of gravity in relation to the ground and also enhancing the acoustical properties of the club head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a metal wood golf club head is provided which includes a hollow body with a generally hexahedron shaped bridge weight integrally disposed therein. The body is preferably cast as a single member and comprises an inner cavity surrounded by a sole plate, the raised bridge weight, a crown portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a skirt portion joining the toe portion to the heel portion, and a face perimeter that forms an oval opening. An impact face is subsequently joined to the body at the oval opening. The heel portion includes an opening for the introduction and connection of a shaft to complete the golf club.

[0008] The bridge weight is located within the cavity of the body with its longitudinal axis spanning across raised members in the sole that make up part of the interior surface of the sole plate. The longitudinal axis generally parallel to the impact face. This places the bottom portion of the bridge weight in a raised position relative to the plane of the sole plate, thereby altering the natural center of gravity of the club head and also creating balanced inertia properties without significantly dampening the acoustics of the club head.

[0009] Located substantially behind center of the club face, preferably between 10% percent to 90% of the distance from the face to the skirt of the club head, the position of the bridge weight achieves a neutral balance of a metal wood golf club head with respect to its inertial properties, as experienced by those skilled in the game of golf.

[0010] The present invention provides enhanced acoustical properties of metal wood club head, in relation to the resultant acoustical properties of the same club head with an alternative weight distribution.

[0011] The present invention provides for optimized launch conditions for the metal wood golf club in the hands of those skilled in the game of golf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top view of the club head of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an elevational partial cross-sectional front view of FIG. 1, showing the elevational relationship between bridge weight and sole plate.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional top view showing the position and location of the bridge weight/sole plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] In FIGS. 1-3, showing the first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a golf club head 10, which is integrally formed by welding and combining the edges of a body 11 with a metal impact face 12 so as to form a cavity 13 therein. The body 11 includes a crown portion 14, a sole portion 15, a heel portion 16, a toe portion 17, a skirt portion 18, and a bridge weight 19, shown as of a hexahedron shape, but any longitudinal type shape would suffice. Body 11 is preferably cast from a titanium alloy, however the scope and inventive concept of the present invention would include other conventional materials, such as steel or composite graphite. The body 11 also includes a hosel 20 for attaching to a shaft for completion of a golf club.

[0016] An important design concept of the present invention utilizes insert members 21 and 22 that protrude from the interior surface 26 of the sole portion 15. The insert members 21 and 22 can be triangular in shape, as shown in FIG. 2, but the shape of the insert members 21 and 22 is not significant. Insert members 21 and 22 having interior surfaces 22 and 23 respectively, which provide the support base for bridge weight 19. The longitudinal axis of the hexagonal bridge weight 19 constitutes the width (w), which is about 1.00 to 1.50 inches, preferably about 1.25 inches. The depth (d) is the distance weight 19 extends rearward, which is about 0.25 to 1.00 inches and preferably about 0.50 inches. The thickness (t) is the actual height of the bridge weight 19 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is a direct function of the weight desired and specific gravity of the material. Bridge weight 19 preferably is integrally cast as part of the sole portion 15, however it is possible that it could also be welded to the sole portion 15 without deviating from the inventive concept. Weight 19 can range from 0.10 grams to 28 grams, preferably between about 15 to 20 grams. The actual location of weight 19 within sole portion 15 is based on the optimum utilization of the center of gravity as a function of swing speed of the golfer. The center of gravity of weight 19 will be about 1.0 inch to about 2.5 inches from the hosel centerline C/L, and preferably about 1.25 inches. The span of the bridge weight, across the interior surfaces 22 and 23 of members 21 and 22, creates a hollow underpass 25 between the bridge weight 19 and sole portion 15.

[0017] While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features of each embodiment can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft comprising: a substantially hollow body welded to an impact face to create a cavity therein; the body including a sole portion; a first insert and a second insert, each protruding from the sole portion into the cavity, inserts having first and second interior surfaces respectively, the surfaces generally parallel and in a raised relationship to the sole portion; and a bridge weight having opposing ends, each end integral with one of the interior surfaces, the bridge weight having a longitudinal axis spanning across the inserts to define a hollow underpass therein.
 2. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the bridge weight is integrally with the body in a one-piece casting.
 3. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the bridge weight is welded to the interior surfaces of the inserts.
 4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hollow cast body and the impact face are made substantially of titanium.
 5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hollow cast body and the impact face are made substantially of titanium based alloy.
 6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the bridge weight has a generally hexahedron shape.
 7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the bridge weight is generally parallel to the impact face.
 8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the width of the bridge weight is about 1.0 to 1.5 inches.
 9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the width of the bridge weight is about 1.25 inches.
 10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the depth of the bridge weight is about 0.25 inches to about 1.00 inches.
 11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the depth of the bridge weight is about 0.50 inches.
 12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight of the bridge weight is about 0.1 grams to about 28 grams.
 13. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight of the bridge weight is about 15 to about 20 grams.
 14. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the bridge weight is about 1.0 inch to 2.5 inches from the hosel centerline.
 15. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the bridge weight is about 1.25 inches from the hosel centerline. 